Chapter 226
While I was enjoying the moment, Euges scrunched his forehead, looking as though he had touched dirty water with his hand, asking with his eyes, ‘How dare you do this to me?’
“
Hoaaam
.”
Just then, Cecilia let out a yawn.
“It seems it’s time for a nap. Madam, we will take care of the young lady.” Thanks to passing the first evaluation, all the servants present approached and took Cecilia away, who was already nodding off.
Once we were left alone, Euges opened his mouth in a mocking tone. “You’re more sly than you look.”
I casually retorted. “It’s a matter of skill. If we don’t do this, we won’t survive the dungeon.”
“
Ah
, so I’m just a hindrance with no skills when it comes to clearing dungeons?”
“I don’t mean like that, but since Your Majesty doesn’t have as much experience in dungeons as I do, I hope you’ll actively follow my advice.”
“Isn’t it the subject’s job to protect the emperor?” He implied he had no intention of cooperating.
I smiled and responded, “Of course, Your Majesty,” while internally cursing him inside.
I didn’t expect any help from you in the first place, you know.
It was then.
“You’re here.”
A woman dressed in a velvet gown that completely covered her neck and arms, totally out of season, approached us. Her eyelids were bruised, and her lips were a deep wine color – unmistakably eerie.
“Pleased to meet you, Duke Rodrigo, Duchess Rodrigo. My name is Winda, the estate’s general manager.”
Euges, addressed as a duke, smirked as if amused by the direct projection of Cecilia’s desires in this world. “Well, my name is indeed Rodrigo. It would’ve been irritating to be called Kapento.”
Winda looked at Euges with an expressionless face, unable to comprehend his words. “I don’t understand what Your Grace is saying.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Coward’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Is this person the guide for this dungeon
…
? She looks the scariest among all the guides we’ve had
ㅠ
.]
As the constellations speculated, Winda was indeed the guide for this dungeon and the strictest evaluator.
“It might be hard on your first day after moving, but it would be good to familiarize yourself with the mansion first if you wish to establish roots in the capital’s social circle quickly.”
Technically, this part could be skipped, but to educate Euges on the mansion’s layout and for me to get a better sense of the space, I agreed to her suggestion. “We should do that. You’re coming with us, right?”
The most dignified married woman I knew was Roseanne. Perhaps that is why my way of speaking, imitating the dignified wife, naturally resembled Roseanne.
Euges clicked his tongue once and offered his arm, indicating he would escort me. Winda confirmed I took his arm and then moved forward, explaining the dungeon’s values and introducing the mansion’s interior.
“The capital’s nobility values affection between spouses highly. They believe the relationship between spouses affects the family’s harmony, children’s upbringing, and the prosperity of the family.”
I nodded, assessing the extent of the mansion’s implementation. In fact, this mansion was identical to the Duchy Kapento, so Euges, who had visited there a few times, would not find it completely unfamiliar.
After being introduced to the personal bedrooms, parlors, banquet halls, and music rooms for the couple, I was somewhat drained. Winda led us to a door guarded by a lifeless wax figure-like maid.
“This is Lady Cecilia’s room. The maid will always guard the door, so please speak to her if you need anything.”
Euges, who had been silent until then, asked, “Why not open it?”
“The young lady is napping.”
I suddenly remembered the teachings I had received from Madam Shati, along with Libby, about managing a household and parenting. I hadn’t expected to apply those teachings so soon.
Winda pointed towards another corridor. “Now, I will guide you to your bedroom.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Empty Vessels Make the Most Noise’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[So shy ^///^]
Ah… since we’re a couple, sleeping in the same bedroom would reflect in the evaluation, wouldn’t it?
Not only that but how often we stay close and how intimately we treat each other were also part of the evaluation. So, to score five stars, I would have to share a room with Euges and even kiss him.
…I wanted to close my eyes in resignation. Until just moments ago, I had been leading Euges very proactively. However, as if all my momentum had vanished, my posture became stiff and awkward as I walked.
Euges mocked me. “A bedroom for a couple, huh? So there’s another bedroom beside our personal ones?”
“Yes, it’s a bedroom for both of you to use together.”
“Oh, I’m quite curious.”
Winda went to the end of the corridor and opened the door. The couple’s bedroom was actually smaller than the personal bedrooms, likely due to the ensuite bathroom and a small dressing room. The bed was adorned with several layers of canopies in a romantic manner, and the sheets were covered in flower petals. It looked exactly like a room for newlyweds.
Euges walked across the room, inspecting the interior before commenting, “Not bad.”
He then grabbed a small cracker from the table and popped it into his mouth. “The dessert tastes terrible, though.” While I was feeling uneasy and jittery, Euges casually critiqued the dessert.
“If you need anything, pull the bell rope. I will return at mealtime.”
After completing her task, Winda left. Euges got up from the flower-petal-sprinkled bed and loosened his cravat.
W-What’s happening? Why has he loosened it? What’s he going to do?
My eyes widened in alarm, and Euges snapped his fingers. “Come here.”
“…Why?”
“Did you just say ‘why’ to me?”
“…No.”
This damned class system.
Approaching him as if I were a condemned prisoner being dragged to the guillotine, Euges clicked his tongue as if he had seen it all. “Calling me ‘Honey’ and clinging to me in the dungeon. Have you come to your senses already?”
“I had no choice due to the role required in the dungeon…”
“Enough. Bring me some clothes to change into.”
I obediently went to the dressing room and fetched some clothes for him. Then, Euges stood up.
“…?”
When I looked at him puzzled, Euges tilted his head slightly. “Aren’t you going to help me change?”
“Me? Help Your Majesty change?”
“Is there anyone else besides Princess here?”
“Winda said if we need anything, to pull the bell rope…”
Euges frowned in displeasure. “Are you suggesting we leave my care to those ominous things?”
If you disliked that, you could simply change your clothes yourself. I barely managed to swallow the words that rose to the tip of my tongue.
“Understood…”
The thought of navigating this dungeon with the high and mighty emperor, who couldn’t even dress himself, made the future seem bleak.
I started by undoing the loosely tied cravat and placed it on the bed. Then, I proceeded to unbutton his coat and vest, setting them aside. Now, it was time to touch the dress shirt.
The room was filled with the quiet sound of buttons being undone. Finally, as I had unbuttoned his shirt down to his dreadful abdomen, my hand was suddenly grabbed. Looking up in surprise, I met Euges’s gaze, who seemed to be holding back anger.
“Did I make a mistake?” I asked cautiously, and Euges let out a deep sigh.
“No. That’s enough for change. Bring me some alcohol. And a cigar.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Dopamine Addict’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Ah, why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
Thankfully, he didn’t ask for more. I quietly stepped back, ready to leave the bedroom before Euges changed his mind.
“I’ll bring it right away.”
“Wait, not here. Bring it to my personal bedroom.”
I was about to agree when Euges left the room first.
“…
Sigh
.” Instead of leaving immediately, I sat on the bed, feeling worn out and exhausted.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Over Immersed Otaku has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I thought we were going to see you reigning among the male leads at the ball, but out of nowhere, you’ve taken a job as a maid…]
“Exactly. The core of this dungeon is to make Euges, who acts however he pleases, into a husband and father worthy of a passing grade. It seems like a lost cause, doesn’t it?” Especially since this dungeon was designed to be cleared only by entering with a male lead whose affection is at red hearts.
“But it’s not that there’s no way to do it.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[What do you plan to do?]
In the game, there wasn’t much freedom for the player, but I could create a new strategy with my free will.
“I’ll have to make a bet and win.”